Stacking box for transportation and storage of fruit

ABSTRACT

Stacking box for transporting and storing fruit made from sheets of cardboard or the like having reinforced sides with the stiffened front and back higher than the sides. Centering means for stacking are provided made from two rectangular shaped sheets transversely divided into three parts each crossing each other in assembly so that their respective middle zones which are of equal dimensions, are superimposed and folded in such a way that their ends are vertically located and related to each other by the stiffening bars in front and back. The superimposition of the middle parts is effected so that the part whose extremes are prolonged on the front and back remains on top. The stiffening bars in front and back may be prismatic slats whose bases are shaped in isosceles rectangle triangles which are joined by one of their faces defined between legs to the longitudinal borders of the ends which constitute the front and back, having the other face defined between legs facing outward.

United States Patent [191 Schwarz STACKING BOX FOR TRANSPORTATION AND STORAGE OF FRUIT [,76] Inventor: Shlomo Jacques Schwarz, Sangre 9,

Valencia, Spain [22] Filed: June 7, 1971 [21] Appl. N0.: 150,528

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data July 16,1970 Spain ..l60,378 Oct. 6, 1970 Spain 162,207 0m. 7, 1970 Spain 162,244

[52] US. Cl 229/23 C [51] Int. Cl..... 865d 13/00, 865d 19/06 [58] Field of Search 229/23 R, 23 C, 23 AB,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,345,350 3/1944 Markwardt et a]. 229/23 C 2,074,315 3/1937 Neely 229/23 R 2,074,314 3/1937 Fleischer.. 229/23 R X 3,003,676 10/1961 Denola 229/23 C X 3,246,826 4/1966 Clemens 229/23 C FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 993,401 5/1965 Great Britain 229/23 C 989,310 4/1965 Great Britain 229/23 C 1,236,617 6/1960 France 229/23 C 11 3,738,562 June 12, 1973 Primary ExaminerDavis T. Moorhead Att0rneyWenderoth, Lind & Ponack [5 7] ABSTRACT Stacking box for transporting and storing fruit made from sheets of cardboard or the like having reinforced sides with the stiffened front and back higher than the sides. Centering means for stacking are provided made from two rectangular shaped sheets transversely divided into three parts each crossing each other in assembly so that their respective middle zones which are of equal dimensions, are superimposed and folded in such a way that their ends are vertically located and related to each other by the stiffening bars in front and back. The superimposition of the middle parts is effected so that the part whose extremes are prolonged on the front and back remains on top. The stiffening bars in front and back may be prismatic slats whose bases are shaped in isosceles rectangle triangles which are joined by one of their faces defined between legs to the longitudinal borders of the ends which constitute the front and back, having the other face defined between legs facing outward.

6 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures Patented June 12, 1973 3,738,562

6 Sheets-Sheet 1 .5 n 10 2 A-B 1 FlG-A' SI-ILOMO JACQUES SCHWARZ, Inventor BY uM Attorneys Patented June 12, 1973 I 3,738,562

6 Sheets-She 2 "FIG-3 SHLOMO JACQUES SCHWARZ, Inventor M-Lumwya Patented June 12, 1973 3,738,562

6 Sheets-Sheet 5 I A ;D 1?

\3 FIG-6 'SHLOMO JACQUES SCHWARZ, Inventor 'ZLZkMZZXA M Attorneys Patented June 12, 1973 3,738,562

Sheets-Sheet 4 M i I 144 I C-D FIG -10 SHLOMO JACQUES SCHWARZ, Inventor By MMMAJzM Attorneys Patented June 12, 1973 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG-12 SI-ILOMO JACQUES SCHWARZ, Inventor adufim fiaL jlz Ali! nrneyfi Patented June 12, 1973 3,738,562

6 Sheets-Sheet 6 i Tl FIG -13 FIG-14 SHLOMO JACQUES SCHWARZ, Inventor Attorneys STACKING BOX FOR TRANSPORTATION AND STORAGE OF FRUIT The invention covers a stacking box for use in transporting and storing fruit. Its construction resolves certain problems posed to date in the assembly of such boxes.

Boxes currently utilized for storing and transporting fruit are generally made of cardboard because of the low cost and light weight of such material.

It happens, however, that the mechanical resistance of cardboard to distortion is not very great, so it has been necessary to create designs requiring reinforced sides, and it has even been necessary to stiffen the structure of the boxes with resistant components, preferably constituted by bars of wood or other appropriate material, to which the pertinent parts of the container may easily be fastened.

Furthermore, and precisely because of the perishable nature of the product for packing which they have been conceived, it is necessary to provide them with a general structure such, that the aforesaid product may be completely ventilated when stacked.

These many requirements have given rise to a type of box, widely generalized on the market, which is made using cardboard as a basis. The front and back are higher than the sides, so that when stacked, air can penetrate to the interior over the rims of the latter. Such front and back are reinforced with bars which allow stacking, each box resting on the other by means of such bars.

In order to accomplish all these ends, however, boxes as currently known are extraordinarily complex to develop, offering serious problems insofar as assembly and imply a considerable expenditure of cardboard, or else they have so many stiffening components that assembling them becomes a laborious operation requiring the use of a large number of supporting items, such as nails, staples, etc.

The object of the present invention is the creation of a box which will meet all the requirements stated above, but which it will be possible to construct starting from an extremely simple operation which will markedly affect its manufacturing cost.

To that end the proposed box is noteworthy mainly because it is constituted starting from two pieces of cardboard or similar material, substantially rectangular in shape, each of which is transversally divided into three parts which, respectively, constitute the bottom and two of the sides.

The pieces are placed crossing each other during assembly so that the central parts of both give rise to the formation of a double and consequently reinforced bottom, while the end parts conjugated to each other, originate the formation of the four lateral partitions.

The invention also covers several forms for reinforcing the front and back of the box and, also, the incorporation of double sides in order to equip the ensemble with greater mechanical resistance. However, these are secondary characteristics and therefore susceptible of various ways of achievement.

Likewise, the proposed invention involves incorporation of means to allow centering the boxes during stacking, such means being constituted by solid projections of the cardboard sheets used for making the box.

In order to have a better understanding of the charac teristics of the object of the invention and in order to graphically supplement the detailed description to be given below, there is attached to this report a set of drawings, the different figures of which correspond to the following items:

FIG. 1. is a perspective of a box constructed according to the present invention.

FIG. 2. is a perspective of one of the principal parts of the box shown in FIG. 1, the same showing the means for stiffening the fronts and sides arranged in assembling position.

FIG. 3. shows another perspective of the part which cooperates with that in FIG. 2 for shaping the box shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4. shows a longitudinal section of the box appearing in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5. shows a perspective of a box built according to the invention and according to a different manner of achieving it.

FIG. 6. shows one of the parts composing the box represented in FIG. 5 being developed.

FIG. 7. shows the development of a part which cooperates with that shown in FIG. 6 for shaping the box shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8. is a lateral elevation of the part being developed as shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9. is a front elevation of the same part.

FIG. 10. is a longitudinal section of the box shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 11. is a perspective view and assembly position of one side of the box made in accordancewith one of its possible variations.

FIG. 12. is a transversesection of the side shown in the preceding figure.

FIG. 13. is a transverse section of one side of the box made in accordance with another possible variation.

FIG. 14. is a longitudinal section of the box to show one mode of construction of the means for centering during stacking, which differs slightly from that shown in the preceding figures.

It has been planned that end parts 3 and 4 in sheet 1, which during assembly will constitute the front and back, will be higher than the ends (5 and 6) in sheet(2) which in assembly will constitute the sides. Similarly, it has been planned that theselatter parts (5) and (6), be so shaped that the folding thereof will result in a reinforced structure.

As will be noted in the various figures, the different parts constituting each box have been referenced by the same numbers, even when they correspond to different modes of accomplishment. This is in order to enable understanding of the fundamental characteristics of the ensemble.

As will be noted, whichever the means chosen for effecting construction of the proposed box, assembly occurs when, after folding the end parts of each of the sheets 1 and 2 upwardly at the sheets are crossed and overlayed so that their central parts are superimposed.

In order that this aspect can be more clearly noted,

FIGS. 2 and 3 have been arranged so that the parts they represent are shown in assembled position.

If the manner chosen for constructing the box is that shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, it is planned that the folded ends (3) and (4) of sheet 1, which when assembled will constitute the front and back, will incorporate along their lateral borders as many bars 7 and 8 of wood or other similar material shaped so that they form seehave one of the faces defined between two legs facing outward, and are joined at the top by a slat serving as a bar (9).

The side ends 5 and 6 of the other sheet (2) are constituted by rectangular extensions which can be folded over each other along their entire length to constitute walls twice as thick as those of the sheet.

The invention also involves that the central part of the sheet (2) which in assembly is located underneath the central part of sheet 1, has its extremes adjacent to those constituting the side walls (5) and (6) folded over themselves along the entire width of the box, thus constituting folded rims (10) which simultaneously serve as supports or legs to hold up the ensemble and determine the formation of a hollow or recess (11) (FIG. 4) adequate for receiving the upper ends of the front and back of other boxes for centering the boxes during stacking.

If the means selected for carrying out the process is that shown in FIG. 5, the operation is fundamentally analogous, with the only difference that the parts (3) and (4) which constitute the front and back are extended to constitute a flap (12) which is flattened over the slat (9) joining the reinforcing bars, and that the reinforcing bars for the aforesaid front and back are constituted by joining the slats (13) attached to the parts (3) and (4) and slats (14) attached to the extremes of the sides (5) and (6).

The box resulting from this mode of accomplishment has all the possibilities and advantages of that which has previously been explained, it also having a greater structural resistance due to the variations which have been planned.

Finally, the lower sides (5) and (6) of the box can be made by equipping them with an accessory stiffening part It in accordance with what is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.

For this mode of construction, as can easily be noted in the figures, it is planned that the sheet of cardboard constituting the box have an extension which can be folded over the rest of the partition, but not totally covering it as is the case in the preceding operation. Furthermore, folding is outward instead of inward, so that it is possible to place therein it the aforementioned stiffening part 15.

Aside from the possibilities for ventilating the product as made feasible by the way in which it is constructed, the proposed box can be equipped in the conventional manner with as many perforations as are deemed necessary to reinforce ventilation.

Among the advantages to be noted from the operation as described, the following may be considered the most significant:

l.- A receptacle of extremely simple construction is obtained in which a minimum number of accessory reinforcement parts are utilized.

2. The box has all the components necessary for its effective utilization, no difficulties in assembling nor addition of foreign parts being implied.

It is not considered necessary to dwell further on this description for any person knowledgable in the matter to understand perfectly the idea which it is desired to register.

I claim:

1. In a stacking box for transporting and storing fruit and being formed from two rectangular shaped cardboard sheets folded in a U-shaped manner to provide a bottom and two opposite sides, said two sheets being superimposed in a manner such that said opposite sides of one of said folded sheets form the wider opposite walls of said box and that said opposite sides of the other of said folded sheets form the narrower opposite walls of said box, said narrower walls being taller than said wider walls, and stiffening bars joining the edges of the adjacent of said walls,

the improvement wherein:

each of said stiffening bars comprising a pair of longitudinal vertical prismatic shaped slats, the crosssection of which form right-angle isosceles triangles having a pair of equal legs joined by a hypotenuse, a first of said slats having a face defined by one of its legs adjacent one of said narrower walls and the other of said slats having a face defined by one of its legs adjacent one of said wider walls, such that the faces defined by said hypotenuse of each of said slats abut each other, thus constituting a stiffening bar having a square cross-section.

2. The improvement claimed in claim 1 further comprising a horizontal slat joining the upper ends of said stiffening bars adjacent the ends of each of said narrower walls. 7

3. The improvement claimed in claim 1, wherein said stiffening bars have a height equal to the height of said narrower walls.

4. The improvement claimed in claim 2, wherein said narrower walls are higher than said stiffening bars, and the portion of said narrower walls extending above said stiffening bars are folded horizontally over said horizontal slats.

5. The improvement claimed in claim 1, wherein said shorter wider walls have portions at the top thereof bent outwardly and downwardly, thus forming flaps, and further comprising longitudinal slats, positioned between and affixed to each of said flaps and its respective wall.

6. The improvement claimed in claim 1, wherein said bottom of said sheet having said wider walls had edges perpendicular to and extending between said wider walls, said perpendicular edges being folded under said bottom, thereby forming guides on the bottom of said box to align with the tops of the narrower walls of another similar box to allow registered stacking of said boxes. 

1. In a stacking box for transporting and storing fruit and being formed from two rectangular shaped cardboard sheets folded in a U-shaped manner to provide a bottom and two opposite sides, said two sheets being superimposed in a manner such that said opposite sides of one of said folded sheets form the wider opposite walls of said box and that said opposite sides of the other of said folded sheets form the narrower opposite walls of said box, said narrower walls being taller than said wider walls, and stiffening bars joining the edges of the adjacent of said walls, the improvement wherein: each of said stiffening bars comprising a pair of longitudinal vertical prismatic shaped slats, the cross-section of which form right-angle isosceles triangles having a pair of equAl legs joined by a hypotenuse, a first of said slats having a face defined by one of its legs adjacent one of said narrower walls and the other of said slats having a face defined by one of its legs adjacent one of said wider walls, such that the faces defined by said hypotenuse of each of said slats abut each other, thus constituting a stiffening bar having a square cross-section.
 2. The improvement claimed in claim 1 further comprising a horizontal slat joining the upper ends of said stiffening bars adjacent the ends of each of said narrower walls.
 3. The improvement claimed in claim 1, wherein said stiffening bars have a height equal to the height of said narrower walls.
 4. The improvement claimed in claim 2, wherein said narrower walls are higher than said stiffening bars, and the portion of said narrower walls extending above said stiffening bars are folded horizontally over said horizontal slats.
 5. The improvement claimed in claim 1, wherein said shorter wider walls have portions at the top thereof bent outwardly and downwardly, thus forming flaps, and further comprising longitudinal slats, positioned between and affixed to each of said flaps and its respective wall.
 6. The improvement claimed in claim 1, wherein said bottom of said sheet having said wider walls had edges perpendicular to and extending between said wider walls, said perpendicular edges being folded under said bottom, thereby forming guides on the bottom of said box to align with the tops of the narrower walls of another similar box to allow registered stacking of said boxes. 